As the Dead Sea shrinks, Jordan fights to win back tourists

The buoyant waters of the Dead Sea are one of Jordan's natural wonders, but they're vanishing at an alarming rate. Meanwhile, Jordan is hoping its natural and cultural treasures can win back tourists who have also receded in recent years.

(CNN) — On the shoreline of the Dead Sea, Jordanian comedian and national treasure Nabil Sawalha strides chest-deep into the water, with all the confidence of a swan to a lake.

"It loves you, the water here, it hugs you," he says as he allows the sea to collect his legs and buoy his entire body to the surface.